The
sun is out now, but on Monday it was a different story. Winds gusting 30-40
miles per hour with snow caused NMU's first snow day of the year. Nearly
two feet of snow fell in higher elevations and 15-20 foot waves on Lake
Superior closed Lakeshore Boulevard. Final exams scheduled for Monday will
take place on Friday. I am sure some students are relieved to have additional
studying time, but now they also have to find time to dig out their cars
before heading home for the holidays.

Semester concludes

It is finals week on campus,
with commencement activities scheduled for Saturday, December 18th at 10:30
a.m. Commencement speaker is Dr. Jane Piirto, a 1963 alumna of NMU and native
of Ishpeming. Dr. Piirto is one of only five Trustees' Professors in the history
of Ashland University. She has written several books, including A Location
in the Upper Peninsula: Collected Essays, Stories, Poems. She has taught
in Michigan, South Dakota, Ohio and New York. She also was an instructor at
NMU in the English department from 1966-71.

Voice of the Wildcats
passes away

Joe
Blake, who broadcast Wildcat hockey for 20 years, died Wednesday evening
at his home in Marquette.
Blake, seen here at Lakeview Arena with former Wildcat head hockey coach
Rick Comley, was owner and president of WMQT-Q107, home of the hockey and
volleyball Wildcats until 1996.
Joe broadcast three Northern Michigan NCAA National Championships (hockey
91, volleyball '93, '94).
He brought enthusiasm and focus to women's athletics as the play-by-play
voice of Northern volleyball 1992-96.
He helped create the excitement that brought an NCAA record 6,825 fans to
Hedgcock Fieldhouse for Northern's first ever NCAA Volleyball Championship.
For two decades, Joe was host of the Blueline Club Luncheons at Northern.
Those luncheons were some of the largest attended in all of college hockey.
In addition, he has been a member of the Golden Wildcat Club, the Blueline
Club, and the NMU Athletic Council.
And if that wasn't enough involvement with Northern, all nine children of
Joe and Pat Blake received college degrees from Northern Michigan University.

Pat and Joe Blake
and their family, celebrating the graduation of the ninth of their children
from Northern.

We'll miss you, Joe.

Professor receives grant

Psychology
professor Maya Sen has received a two-year, $100,000 grant from the National
Institute of Health to develop and pilot-test measures to analyze gender
development in 6- to 30-month-old children. We will try to measure
children's understanding of what sex they are; their knowledge of gender
stereotypes; and gender salience, or the attention and importance they attach
to gender. The main focus is determining whether the measures themselves
are feasible, but hopefully we will also obtain some results for this age
group in the process," said Dr. Sen. She will receive help executing
the study from four undergraduate students. "The psychology department
makes a conscious effort to involve students as much as possible in our
research. They can read or talk about designing a study, but to actually
see and experience the process is much more valuable and really boosts their
resumes. Working with them also helps me write them solid recommendations
for graduate school."

Wildcat Night Across
the Country taking shape

Alumni in several areas
are jumping onboard and planning their Wildcat Night Across the Country parties.
In case you don't know how it works: the NMU vs. Michigan hockey game, Friday,
January 28th, will be shown live on Fox Sports.
(This game is available on cable throughout Michigan, Wisconsin and Eastern
Ohio. It is available on satellite across the country.)
Wildcat fans locate a bar or restaurant willing to put the game on the big screen
tvs and green and gold fans show up to cheer on the 'Cats, meet fellow Wildcats
and even win some prizes.
It is so easy to do.
Plan a party in your area NOW!

Many people make the bulk
of their charitable contributions at the end of the year to make sure they can
count donations on their list of tax deductions for the year.

If you find yourself faced
with decisions about charitable giving, don't forget Northern and the wonderful
work your donation can do on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

The Development Fund office
in 603 Cohodas will be closed, along with the rest of the University, during
the December holiday break, from Friday, December 24th through Sunday, January
2nd.
If you would like to make a contribution for the calendar year ending December
31, 2004, please take advantage of one of the following opportunities:

Up until 5:00 p.m. Thursday,
December 23rd, you can contact us at regular business hours, Monday-Friday,
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

After December 23rd,

Mail a check or money order
to the NMU Development Fund, 1401 Presque Isle, Marquette, MI 49855
Visit the Development Fund web site.

For gifts of stock or if
you need other assistance, please call 906-227-2627 and leave your name, phone
number and a brief message. Our Development Fund staff will contact you as soon
as possible.
All gifts postmarked prior to December 31st will be processed as contributions
in 2004.

From the Email bag

"Deanna, viewing
the picture of Carey Hall had me thinking of the years that I spent so many
hours between classes at WBKX Radio Free Marquette. Interesting how life comes
full circle. Currently, I'm teaching radio production classes and have a station
of my own on the net. Right about now I could sure use "Tinker Toys"
(Jeff's) help. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday."
John S. Ashley '77
Orlando, FLashleyj@ocps.k12.fl.us

"Deanna,I have been
reading "What's New NMU" for quite some time now. Although you have
provided tons of information - I have not been shocked by any of the information
until to this latest column. I have read as you provided descriptions of how
NMU is growing and renovating, and how so many things have changed. But this
column listed a Wildcat win in women's basketball over Northland. I was curious
to know which Northland, and was surprised to see it was Northland College,
in Ashland WI. I have attended both Northland College (DIV III) and NMU (DIV
II) and watched both schools volleyball teams win National Championships. But
now these two great schools are playing against each other! As a graduate of
NMU, I will continue to cheer for the Wildcats but it sure shows how time changes
so many things affecting NMU even other colleges changes. Thanks for all of
the great updates. Go Cats!"
Craig Cugini '93craig.h.cugini@us.army.mil

Deanna, Thanks for the
updates!
Did you know you can get free score updates on your ALLTEL phone?
Go to www.alltel.net and sign up for the free alerts sent to your cell phone.
I get the NMU hockey updates every week! The scores arrive on my phone as a
text message after each period, almost as soon as the period ends! When I can
not be at the game I can still keep up on the team.
(if you do not subscribe to a text msg package from ALLTEL the alert will be
just $.02 each)"
Stephen Skauge '85
Kingsford, MIsjsace@up.net

"Deanna,
Enjoy the newsletter tremendously along with your photos chronologizing significant
changes in NMU's physical plant as well as its accademic changes and achievements.
While nostalgicly contemplating the changes that are being considered for the
upgrading of Lee and Carey Hall's, I am reminded that prior to the advent of
Lee Hall in the late 40's, the only place one could get a cup of coffee or a
coke between classes was in an old renovated ex-government building behind the
J. D. Pearce Training School across the street from Vetville! The Vets that
enrolled in NMU following WWII were the nexus that changed the school forever
and became the foundation of what it is today."
Jack Miller '51
San Antonio, TXelhonchos@aol.com

"It is great being
in the middle of nowhere in Nevada and get the news from the greatest university
in the nation! Thanks again for bringing a little bit of home to me here in
Nevada."
Pat Mulkerns '02
Nevadapmulkerns@nye.k12.nv.us

As always, feedback/suggestions/questions
can be directed to yours truly.